Arts and Crafts

Recently I have been writing/rewriting a short article to submit to an online magazine that published something of mine about a year ago. I am hoping that they might like my work enough to think about publishing it again. We will see.   The topic? Arts and Crafts.  Anyway -- thinking about this topic brought back a lot of fun memories.  I have a sneakin' suspicion that you may have similar flashbacks as you read through this post.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I started young in this creative arena.  There were always projects going on in my house.  For several years I remember my mom having a table set up somewhere in the house for things like making holiday ornaments out of old jewelry. There were other, larger projects as well -- decoupage and "antiquing" old furniture in avocado and cloudy blue stains. There were always "things" going on. Our Mom made her own draperies and taught my sister and I how to sew.  I don't, however, think that I ever mastered installation of a zipper or made anything that actually fit well. I accept full responsibility for this ineptitude. Sewing, in general makes me tense -- (as does playing games, for that matter.) Anyway -- 

The propensity for involvement in projects carries over.  I think it may be genetic, and some of these inherited talents are like riding a bike.  In fact, I think that I may still remember how to fold and weave gum wrappers into a chain. Sometimes I still make my own bows for gift wrapping. I no longer paint or sculpt with metal -- something I did a long time ago, but...  I do knit, crochet, cross stitch and attempt other skills -- most of which would be absolutely perfect to send photos of into Pinterest for their "Nailed it (Failed It) category.

Ah -- Fond memories --  day camp clay ashtrays, pine cone wreaths, macrame hangers for plants. (Now knot tying was one art/craft that I personally spread like a contagion throughout my home and to all family and friends kind enough to support my endeavors and to accept gifts of knots.) Then again there were challenges like embroidery. My sister and I each started quilt square kits when we were in our teens or maybe we were even younger than that. She will remember exactly when.  She is, in great part, my memory of the more important details of our lives. A childhood friend of mine remembers all the other important tidbits.   Anyway -- I know she never finished embroidering her quilt squares because, more than a few years ago, she sent me the two squares she had finished and the ten squares that she had not even started.  She may have done this because at one point I sent her my unfinished kit just in case she wanted to make a quilt twice the size of the original plan. She also returned those to me. Just the other day, I saw all the squares and thread reposing in tissue in a box far back on a high closet shelf.  I wonder if my sister would want them now that her children are all grown. She might have time.  Then again, she is working part time and playing with her grand kids among many other things.   Hmm... she probably would not want them ... but ... it is tempting to send them to her anyway... sort of a "blast from the past" type of memorabilia. Actually I will be visiting her in a month or so. I could take them as a "thank you for your hospitality" gift. Hmm... probably not a good idea....

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Wondering now -- does paint by number fit into the category of arts and crafts? It should really. It takes a certain knack (one I have never completely mastered).  What about rock painting? Crayon Art? Plastic canvas Kleenex box covers?  You probably have a list of your own favorites.

If my Arts and Crafts article is rejected by the magazine, I may share the whole thing with you as a blog post. It includes some mention of basket weaving with friends.  It was fun to write.  I am hoping that it will be fun to read. We will see.